Helping others is the job she loves

Ever since Beverly Chambers moved to New York City from her home in St. Ann’s, Jamaica in 1989, she has earned a living by helping others.
For the last six years, Chambers, 49, of Cambria Heights, has worked as a caregiver for New York Nursing Care, providing home visits to people in the elderly community.
“I love helping people, especially the elderly,” she said.
For her hard work and dedication, she was honored last month at the Caregiver of the Year Luncheon held at the Crest Hollow Country Club.
As a home aid, Chambers has been visiting her current patient, Ann Murro, 92, at her home in Valley Stream, Long Island for about a year. Chambers helps Murro, who has Alzheimer’s disease, by doing her laundry, preparing her meals, bathing her, and administering her medicine.
The two also spend quality time together completing puzzles and playing cards. While Murro does not like to go outside the home, when the weather is warm they sometimes take walks outside.
“Ann crochets when she’s in the mood,” Chambers said.
Before taking care of Murro, she had spent three years as caregiver to another elderly woman, until she passed away.
Recalling memorable times as a home caregiver, Chambers reflected on her time with her former patient.
“She never remembered my name. She used to always call me by her former caregiver’s name,” Chambers remembered with a laugh. “It was okay though, she was a very nice lady. I liked taking care of her.”
When the woman passed away, Chambers began visiting Murro. Caregivers generally visit their regular patient until the person dies or is hospitalized, she explained.
Murro was recently hospitalized for about three weeks for a urinary tract infection and other issues, during that time Chambers visited some of Nursing Cares’ other patients. Chambers resumed her visits on November 29, when Murro was released.
When working with the elderly, losing a patient to death is part of the job.
“When you take this job, you know what you are getting into,” she said of the challenge.
Chambers said she has learned how to avoid becoming too attached while still being a good caregiver.
“I’m not going to ignore them just so I don’t get to close to them,” she said. “I do my job and I treat them with kindness.”
For her, being kind, helpful and respectful to the older people in her care is not very difficult. “I feel like they are my own parents and grandparents,” Chambers said.
Her own mother still lives in Jamaica. Chambers’ move to America was sponsored by her aunt. Despite the geographical distance between them, the family is tied together by their desire to help people.
Her mother worked in healthcare, and “I grew up with the same mentality.” Her daughter, Celonie Morris, 23, is also employed in the health care profession.